Up for debate

Maurice Jones-Drew made what a lot of people think is a really smart play today towards the end of the Jaguarss-Jets today.

With the Jaguars driving, Jones-Drew took a hand off from David Garrard, ran from nine yards and took a knee at the 1. Jaguars coaches told Jones-Drew to get as close as possible and then stop to keep the lock ticking.

“Sorry to my fantasy owners,” Jones-Drew deadpanned. “I apologize. I had myself today. It was a tough call, but whatever it takes to get the victory, that’s what counts.”

The Saints had no time-outs and Garrard took a knee n back to back plays and Josh Scobee kicked the game winning field goal. The Jaguars won the game 24-22.

Now, I am not questioning this move because Jones-Drew is on my fantasy team, I question it because Scobee could have missed that field goal. Something could have happened on the snap. Other unfortunate things that could have cost the Jags the game. Jones had a clear path into the end zone, why not just get in the end zone? Is it smart thinking if Scobee misses the field goal?

Scobee did nail the field goal, the Jaguars won the game, and taking a knee at the one became a smart play. If Jones-Drew scores that touchdown the score becomes 27-22, meaning the Jets still would have needed a touchdown on the following possession. The score would stay 27-22 if the Jaguars missed the two point conversation they would have likely have gone for in that situation. It seems odd that I have not heard anyone question this play. Why not make a struggling Mark Sanchez beat you?

Remember when Tomy Romo fumbled that snap for the game winning field goal against the Seahawks? I do. It is always better to take the points.  It is odd to say thinking too much can be bad, but on a football field it can be. When you have do more than what is asked of you, you never know what can happenCrazy things can happen and sometimes do. 99.9% of the time the kicker will make that field goal, but it is better to be safe than sorry. . Bradon Stokely killed time after making that miracle catch but he eventually scored. There are times when this play is appropriate and sometimes when it it is not.

The Jaguars won the game, so none of this really matters right now, because now it is a smart play. Just remember in the future if something like this happens and something goes wrong. Remember who questioned the thought of plays like this. Coming from a guy whose teams tend to have ridiculous things happen to them, I hope you can understand why I tend to think the worst things will happen.

Other thoughts

Dave Matter empties his notebook on the Mizzou-Kansas St. game and offers some bowl projections

Ohio St. beat Iowa in an exciting Big 10 game to clinch a share of the Big 10 championship. The Big 12 is now likely to get two teams into BCS bowls. Will they fold like they have in the past or finally rise to the challenge and win a big game out of conference?

Big 12 Championship is looking like a Nebraska vs. Texas match-up if both teams take care of business.  Nebraska is the North's best chance to beat the South in the Big 12 title game. It is unlikely that Mizzou or Kansas St. would have been able to keep up with Texas. Texas has steam rolled pretty much every one they have played this year.

I just finished the book The Original Curse. The premise behind the book is the idea that the 1918 Cubs may have been the inspiration for the 1919 Black Sox's. Interesting book and a must read for Cub and baseball fans out there.

Next up on the blog will be a ten game recap on the Bulls season so far.

-Mike Moreau